Nigerians worried over NERC delay in releasing tariff cap on estimated billing
Nigerians yet to secure prepaid meters from their electricity Distribution Companies (Discos) nationwide, have accused the management of the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) of connivance with Discos in robbing them off with arbitrary estimated billing.
Venting their anger at a recent public consultation meeting organized by the Commission, aggrieved costumers’, who had been paying arbitrary power tariffs argued that NERC has been compromised by Discos so as to keep delaying the release of an order on capping of estimated billing which is supposed to follow the takeoff of Meter Access Providers (MAP) since May 1, 2019.
Recall that as at the time of introducing MAP in May, NERC had informed Nigerians on estimated billing platform that as soon distribution of prepaid meters by MAP scheme enters the second month, the Commission will issue an order on capping of estimated billing to protect customers without meters from the bleeding intensity of Discos, but has not happened.
Business Hilights gathered that the capping is expected to set limits of power consumption billings on yet to be metered customers to end the regime of crazy bills.
However, in his remarks at the consultation meeting, NERC commissioner, consumer affairs, Dr. Moses Arigu said “In the MAP regulation, the Commission is to come out with an order on capping of estimated billing which when finalised, is to be effective after the metering procurement process through the MAP starts, and this has kicked off on May 1, 2019.”
Majority of customers expressed anger on why the Commission has failed release the capping even as Discos continue with their snail speed and rigorous meter installation processes across the federation.
The consultation meeting which was the first since the resumption of MAP initiative is in line with the Electric Power Sector Reform Act (EPSRA) which mandated the commission to issue licenses and regulate person/entities engaged in the generation, transmission, system operation, trading of electricity and distribution among other things.
